 Fishing report Jacksonville area waters
In between northeasters the fishing has been really good. The water temperature starts out in the low 60's in the morning and usually gets up to mid or high 60's by the afternoon.The really cold weather isn't here yet, and most days are pleasant fishing, when the wind abates.
The speckled trout have been biting in the creeks, ICW, and St. Johns River. The smaller trout are mostly in the creeks. Lipped diving plugs are very effective as is the DOA clacker with a glow shrimp. Of course, live shrimp are most often the bait of choice, fished under a sliding float rig, or freelined.
The bull reds are mostly gone, with a few hanging around the jetty tips. I am beginning to see reds schooling along the banks of the ICW in the early morning before the "snowbird" boat traffic cranks up. Slot and rat reds are in the creeks, and can be seen crashing bait during low tide phases. Yesterday, I caught a nice slot red on a crab fly. Spinner baits are also effective fished slowly.
There are lots of flounder in the creeks and ICW, though most are small to medium sized. For me they are usually an incidental catch, unless I specifically target them. I had a 6-8lb flounder escape yesterday when the plug became tangled in the edge of the landing net and the wily fish took advantage!
There are bluefish, drum, and sheephead in our waters now, too. So, take your pick, and go fishing!
Tight lines and fair winds!
CAPT Bob Cosby
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